UPDATE: Teen Pleads Not Guilty to Murder Charges

FUNERAL SERVICES:
Shafer's funeral arrangements have been made. A visitation is Thursday from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Fitzgerald Funeral Home on Mulford Road. Funeral services are Friday at 11:30 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church.

STATEMENT FROM FATHER EDWARD SEISSER, PASTOR OF HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH, ROCKFORD regarding the death of Karen Shafer on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013.

“Our hearts are broken by the tragic and unnecessary death of one of our beloved parishioners, Karen Shafer. We are coming together, as parish families always do, to do whatever we can to help Karen’s family in their time of grief and loss. We ask the community to join us in prayer for Karen, her family and all those who are innocent victims in our society.”

UPDATE: The Rockford teen accused of killing a woman with his car plead not guilty today.

17-year-old Traveon Parham's bond was also increased to $1 million dollars.

Police say they caught him breaking into cars in the Holy Family Church parking lot. When they tried to track him down, he crashed into Karen Shafer's minivan, killing her. Authorities say Parham was high and driving a stolen car.

ROCKFORD (WIFR) – Murder charges have been filed against the teenager accused of killing a Rockford woman on her way to church as he tried to run from police.

The Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s office says if it wasn’t for 17-year-old Traveon Parham’s actions, Karen Shafer would be alive today.

Parham is charged with 29 counts, including three counts of first degree murder and two counts of reckless homicide. The accident happened on February 24th at the intersection of Alpine and Brendenwood. Police say they ran a red light and crashed into 58-year-old Karen Shafer’s mini-van, killing her. The State’s Attorney’s Office says Parham was on drugs at the time of the accident and was driving a stolen vehicle. Altogether, if found guilty Parham could spend the rest of his life in prison.

“Based on all the charges we believed the possibility is a maximum of 84 years, based on current sentencing laws and requirements,” said Winnebago County State’s Attorney Joe Bruscato.

Parham is in jail on a $250,000 bond. He’ll be in court on March 28th.

The other two who were in the car that day were arrested for parole violations but have not been charged with anything. However, the investigation is ongoing. Also we spoke with Karen Shafer’s family today. They tell us they’re happy with the charges brought against Parham.

UPDATE: On March 21, 2013, the Winnebago County State’s Attorney announced that a Winnebago County Grand Jury has returned a 29 count Bill of Indictment charging 17 year old Traveon Parham in regards to the traffic related death of Karen Shafer on February 24, 2013. The bill of Indictment charges the following:

At this time Traveon Parham remains under a $250,000 bond. Mr. Parham will next appear in court on Thursday, March 28, 2013. The case remains under investigation.

UPDATE 2/26: ROCKFORD (WIFR) -- The three teenagers wanted in last weekend’s fatal car crash were released from the hospital Tuesday and taken right into police custody.

The trio are all on probation. The 16-year-old driver faces a laundry list of charges including reckless homicide, driving under the influence of drugs and multiple traffic violations.

His passengers’ 17-year-old Corey Butler and a 16-year-old were arrested for probation violation. Police accuse the guys breaking into cars in the parking lot of Holy Family Church Sunday after. Police say when they tried to get away; they crashed into 58-year-old Karen Shafer, killing her.

UPDATE: ROCKFORD (WIFR) – There is new information about this weekend’s fatal car accident that killed a local mother who officers say was on her way home from Mass. Police tell us the three suspects who crashed into her mini-van were teenagers likely fleeing from police after burglarizing cars in the Holy Family Church parking lot.

We’re also learning more about the woman, who many say, will be greatly missed.Family members tell us 58-year-old Karen Shafer was an OB/GYN nurse at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center. They say she dedicated her life to bringing new life into this world. Her brother says she has attended Mass at the church every week for the last 40 years. Police believe she was on her way to church when she was killed in the accident.

The crash happened on Alpine and Brendenwood roads just after noon Sunday. Rockford Police say a Winnebago County Sheriff’s Deputy spotted a car that was likely linked to break-ins in the Church’s parking lot. That’s when officers say three suspects took off and ended up crashing their car into Shafer’s minivan killing her. Family members are devastated.

The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department tells us the deputy who approached the alleged burglary suspects turned her lights on, but did not chase the suspects. In fact, we’re told she shut off her lights and sirens when she says the suspects picked up speed. It’s just not something the department does because of the danger.

The suspects were also injured, however they are expected to survive. This group may be the same people who broke into cars at Rockford First and other area churches last weekend.

UPDATE: The woman killed in Sunday's crash has been identified as 58 year old Karen Shafer. The Winnebago County Coroner has confirmed that her cause of death was blunt trauma to her chest and abdomen due to the motor vehicle crash.

Rockford Police tell us the suspects involved in this weekend's fatal crash are two 17 year-olds and a 16 year-old who was likely the driver.

We will have more information on this story tonight on the 23 News at 5 and 6.

ROCKFORD (WIFR) -- A local woman is dead after police say she was killed while driving to a northeast side church early this morning. Officers tell us suspects breaking into cars at Holy Family Church tried to flee the scene and ended up crashing their car into the victim's minivan.

The crash happened just after noon on North Alpine and Brendenwood Roads.

Police say a Winnebago county sheriff's deputy driving in the area spotted a car possibly linked to several car burglaries at Holy Family Church, and potentially others in the area, as we reported this time last weekend.

That's when we're told the three suspects fled the scene and ended up crashing into the 58-year-old woman's car, killing her. The suspects remain in a local hospital, and are expected to survive.

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